According to Bayt.com’s ‘Work Satisfaction in the MENA’ poll released in November2012, a whopping74.1% of professionals in the MENA region are stressed by their jobs, with34.8% affirming that their stress is ongoing.
While we provided an outline on stress at the workplace and some stressbusters in previous articles, in this article we give you quick ideas for handling stress without causing more strain and hassle:
If someone causes you stress, limit the amount of time you spend with that person; if traffic’s got you tense, take a longer but less-traveled route; if going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online, and so on…
Analyze your responsibilities and daily tasks. If you’ve got too much on your plate, distinguish between the “shoulds” and the “musts”, and drop tasks that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom of the list.
Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, learn how to refuse added responsibilities. Taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress.
If something or someone is bothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and respectful way. If you don’t voice your feelings, resentment will build and the situation will likely remain the same.
Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. When you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused. But if you plan ahead, you can alter the amount of stress you’re under.
Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress. Try to make exercising or walking to work a daily habit.
Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so be mindful of what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day.
Take a break for lunch. Do not eat your lunch while you’re working. If you eat under pressure then most likely you will suffer from indigestion or flatulence.
Get a few minutes to get out of the air-conditioned workspace and breathe some fresh air.
Do not let social networks or your emails distract your attention. When this happens it is difficult to concentrate again and go back to work. Try to check your email at specified intervals and not all the time.
Lack of sleep reduces your energy and has an impact on your performance at work. Get at least seven hours of sound sleep every night.
Needless to say, a holiday does wonders for your emotional health. While most of us would love an exotic getaway to our location of choice, holidays need not entail a suitcase, an airline ticket and a huge expenditure. After a really stressful month, checking into your local spa for the weekend may be just as effective!
It may seem that there’s nothing you can do about stress. The bills won’t stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day and your career and family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have more control than you think. In fact, the simple realization that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress management. Indeed, managing stress is all about taking charge of your thoughts, emotions, priorities, and the way you deal with problems.
